Mommy, I'm too hot
Incredibly it was 106 degrees F in San Francisco
last Friday and Saturday it was nearly so
It should never be 106 degrees in San Francisco
Here is the oncoming timeline
according to my melting wristwatch
Leading up to the long haul
of our
Hot Spell in Hell!
1.
Thursday
the illusion of normalcy
Airing wings
in hot sun and cool air
Radiant complexities
of palm shadows
at an agreeable temperature
Beautiful new wood fixture
for the bonsai garden
the artisan was delivering it
Now that's a fine piece of work
said I
A little lawn of magical grass
invites me to lie down a while
Under a shady tree
By the Air Bee N bee
Someone back there
watering the plants
No, I mean
really watering
Twirling his watering wand
for our viewing pleasure
When a shade tree
was sufficient
Drive-by
Crane Shot
The urban world
could still provide
a survivable atmosphere
2.
Friday
blast furnace
All dressed up
and no one to cruise
sidewalks of Berkeley
were deserted
A Summer dress
(inspired by Brion Gysin)
an air-conditioned bus
Momentary respite from
the insane heat
Like a pet
left in a car
Watch at the window
for the sun to go down
3.
Saturday
surface of the sun
The proverbial
bad moon seen through
a black scrim around
a construction escarpment
Wait until dark
As if there aren't enough
Scary things in the world
already
Like the inside
of a police station
Disquieting
inchoate things
who walk in darkness
Atrocious things
Like the horrid coat of paint
BART used to obliterate graffiti
at the XO location--
ruined for future exhibition
Or Saturday night
barroom vertigo
Bedroom roulette
will follow
Or the super-caloric menu
Down at the soul kitchen
chicken and waffle house
with sweet tea
It was so hot
the moon
had a corona
31 August-2 September 2017
